563 replies to this topic

[FogPub]

^^ Is that due to Tofino being a party destination?  Or, put another way, what proportion of those hospitalizations are locals vs visitors?

[Mike K.]

Locals. It’s a huge problem.

[Victoria Watcher]

The chronic alcoholism is mostly concentrated on the resevre, can't we just say that?

 

 

 

Even though a vast majority of residents don’t drink, the Ha’wiih estimate that 10 to 15 per cent of the population drink to the point that it’s a problem.

 

https://hashilthsa.c...lor in Ahousaht.

 

 

“There have been 65 deaths in two years and about 90 per cent of those are due to liver failure (or other alcohol-related causes),” said Hasheukumiss, acting Ahousaht Tyee Ha’wilth (head chief) for his father Maquinna.

 

Add to that the domestic violence, drunk driving, sexual assaults and other attacks happening to young people.

 

“There were two 16-year-olds raped last week,” said Hasheukumiss in an early March phone interview.

 

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There is a shocking amount of alcohol flowing into the village with a population of about 1,000 every week. The Ha’wiih stated that a witness reported seeing Ahousaht residents walk out of the BC Liquor Store in Tofino with full cases, 24 bottles of vodka.

 

“The amount of liquor leaving the store is alarming – 300 to 500 bottles of vodka every week going to Ahousaht,” said Hasheukumiss.

 

_____________________________

 

In the past, Tyee Ha’wilth Maquinna spent $600,000 on healing retreats in an attempt to solve the problem. Bootleggers were confronted and people willing to get help for alcoholism were offered six-week healing programs with minimal success.

 

“We now know that six weeks is way too short,” said Hasheukumiss.

 

In the past two years 60 people went to the retreats and, according to Hasheukumiss, only one maintained sobriety for two years.

 

“We’re burying way too many people before their time,” said Hasheukumiss.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 September 2024 - 07:59 AM.

[Matt R.]

Time for the liquor store clerks to retake their Responsible Service and simply deny the sale of 24 bottles of vodka to anyone without a liquor license.